Many of you know my friend John(Gu mby). He is basically the Ryan of my Witten family. He called me one night really upset because he wasgetting a divorce. I talked and tried my best to console him and be a listening ear. After that call I didn't hear from him for a couple a months. Ends up my Friend was an addict and the reason I didn't hear from him was because he went in rehab. When I saw him after he got sober, He seemed so happy and in such a good place. It seemed like he was his old self again. A month later we went to a show together and he had told me he fell off the wagon. He was totally ashamed and was isolating himself from his sponsor and councilor. Right then I thought, I'm gonna go to an AA meeting with him and help in get back on the right path. I was so excited, I thought this would be the perfect service. Also, I was really interested to attend an AA meeting to see a glimpse of the process that James might have gone through. So I told John my plan of helping him go back to his meetings.
Well after that night, I could never get a hold of John and my life got hectic with Davy and hospital trips.
Months later I got a text in church from John asking if we could talk. Things had gotten really bad for my friend, to the point that he tried to end his life. I immediately drove down to his house. When I got there and saw what state he was in, I was in shock. He looked like he hadn't eaten in weeks and looked empty and gone. First thing I made him eat......really he was that gaunt. Over lunch I say, let's go to a meeting together. We went to the first meeting we could find and it happened to be an AA where people shared through music our poetry. My first thoughts were"YES!!! this is gonna be good". Believe me it did not disappoint. I really wish I could have video taped it......that amazing. After the meeting we went to a starbucks to talk some more. John poured his heart out to me. Told me how hopeless he felt. As he was talking, I felt the spirit, I thought of James and his experience at the refuge. I told John what I was feeling and that it was not coincidence that I was the one he called. I knew he had to go there. I immediately called James and Heather to get their help. So I guess in a way James you had a hand in my service to you. One week later I was at Johns house packing it up and putting it in storage and he was off to Florida.
From the refuge John called me every week. It was SO awesome to watch him change and grow. I could hear a change in his self confidence and worth. The three months went quickly there and soon it was time for him to home. But John didn't have a home to go to, nor did he have any sober friends to rely on.
I was telling Beth how worried I was about him and of course Beth, being the saint she is, told me he could live with her.
SO there you have it, he was all set to go. He came home a totally different person. I was so excited and happy for him.
He has been home now for 3 months and I would love to say life has been easy for him. But it hasn't. He battles his addictions every day. Watching him go through this journey has been hard. Although I can be a support my friend I can't save him or change him from this, he has to do it for himself. I can't even begin to tell you what doing this service for my friend, John has done for me. I have learned so much from him. I have felt the spirit many times. I know I have grown from this.
When John was at the refuge a councilor asked him how had heard of it and he said,"an angel told him."
Although that made me feel so good, I know I can't take the credit. It really was because of you James and the experiences you had and the brave choice you made to be open and honest about your addiction. I really do admire you for being so willing to share you're story. Through your trials, you have blessed so many other people. More then you probably realize. I am very thankful that I choose your name and for the opportunity that I had to serve my dear friend.
P.S I really feel like I need to give a shout to Heather. You also had a big hand in this. You were always asking about John and giving me advice on ways to help him. Thank you, I love you both dearly for all your support through this.
P.P.S John has been doing really good and is happier then he's been in a long while.
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